Paranormal Terminology

noun a substance supposed to emanate from the body of a medium during a spiritualistic trance and form the material for the manifestation of spirits

• Scientists are studying the properties of ectoplasm found in paranormal investigations.
• Have you ever seen ectoplasm during a ghost hunt?
• That ectoplasm looks totally creepy!
• Her anger seemed to manifest as ectoplasm swirling around her.

adjective relating to or resembling ectoplasm, a supernatural viscous substance that is said to exude from the body of a medium during a spiritualistic trance

• The scientist studied the ectoplasmic residue left behind by the ghost.
• I heard that ectoplasmic stuff is what ghosts are made of.
• That ectoplasmic goo gives me the creeps.
• Her creativity seemed to flow like ectoplasmic energy, filling the room with inspiration.

noun a spirit or apparition of a dead person that is believed to appear or become manifest to the living, typically as a nebulous image

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• The legend of the ghost haunting the old mansion has been passed down for generations.
• I swear I saw a ghost in that creepy abandoned house last night!
• Dude, that place gives me the heeby-jeebies, I think it's haunted by ghosts.
• The ghost of his past mistakes still haunts him to this day.

adjective resembling or characteristic of a ghost, especially in being mysterious, eerie, or unnatural

• The old mansion was rumored to be haunted by ghostly apparitions.
• I swear I saw something ghostly in that abandoned house last night!
• That place gives me the creeps, it's so ghostly.
• Her voice had a ghostly quality to it, as if it was coming from beyond the grave.

noun the study of mental phenomena that are excluded from or inexplicable by orthodox scientific psychology (such as hypnosis, telepathy, etc.)

• Parapsychology is the study of paranormal phenomena such as telepathy and clairvoyance.
• I find parapsychology fascinating because it explores unexplained phenomena.
• Some people think parapsychology is just a bunch of hocus pocus.
• In the world of science, parapsychology is often seen as the black sheep of the family.

noun a preternatural being or occurrence

adjective beyond what is normal or natural; supernatural

• The scientist was fascinated by the preternatural abilities of the subject.
• She always had a preternatural sense of when something was about to go wrong.
• That magician has some seriously preternatural skills!
• The athlete's speed on the field was preternatural, almost supernatural.

noun a belief in the existence of forces or entities beyond the natural world, often associated with religion or the occult

• The study of supernaturalism is a common topic in religious studies.
• Some people believe in supernaturalism, while others are more skeptical.
• I don't buy into all that supernaturalism stuff.
• Her belief in supernaturalism gives her a sense of comfort and security.